LEXINGTON, KY (November 14, 2007)  Always greatly anticipated, the first night to drive through the Southern Lights: Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights will be November 16  at the Kentucky Horse Park.  This year’s light display will be open nightly from 5:30-10pm until December 31 (indoor activities are closed Nov 22 and Dec 24-31). 

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation presents Southern Lights in support of the Kentucky Horse Park.  Southern Lights is consistently named a winner of the Winter/Holiday Top Ten Festivals & Events by the Kentucky Tourism Council, and the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events.

Southern Lights will include a self-guided 3-mile journey through a dreamland of fabulous light displays, including never-before-seen displays and traditional favorites.  Festivities also include a petting zoo, Mini-Expreses train, model railway exhibit, various live musical performances, hands-on exhibit by Explorium, miniature doll houses exhibit, and visits with Santa Claus (photos with Santa are sponsored by the Lexington Rotary Club, to raise money for the purchase of coats for the needy).  The park’s award-winning gift shop will be open, as will numerous holiday craft vendors and the world-famous International Museum of the Horse. Carousel-themed pony rides are also available for an additional fee.

Special weekends during Southern Lights will include Breyer Weekend, November 16-17 (including Breyer model horse vendors and Breyer models available through the park’s Gift Shop);  Sports Weekend, November 23-24 (vendors and demonstrations by Man o' War Golf Learning, Lexington Legends, Team Spirit of Lexington, John's Run/Walk Shop and the Lexington Polo Club);  Kentucky Proud Weekend, November 30-December 1 (Benita Lyons, author of "Scratch Cooking" cookbook, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Roger's Treats, Entertaining with Bluegrass Winners Cookbook presented by The Garden Club of Lexington, Ale-8-One and other Kentucky food vendors);  Furry Friends Weekend, December 7-8 (adoptable pets from Forever Home Rescue and Sanctuary, demonstrations by Best Friends Obedience, and vendors such as For the Love of Dogs Bakery, Pet Paws Pet Wash and Petlane Pet Parties);  Western Weekend, December 14-15 (Bluegrass Boots and Saddles, The Last Genuine Leather Company and Horsefeathers);  Pottery Weekend, December 21-22 (including The Mad Potter, Rosewood Pottery and Hands-On Pottery).

Food donations are being collected for God’s Pantry Food Bank through December 30 in the Campground Store.

Generously sponsored by National City and Kerr Brothers, proceeds from Southern Lights will benefit the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, which funds many of the park’s projects and activities.

Admission to Southern Lights is $15 per vehicle for up to seven people, $30 for extended vans and limousines with up to 15 people, $50 for mini buses with up to 25 people, $75 for school buses and $125 for motor coaches.

For more information, contact the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation at 859-255-5727 or go to www.kyhorsepark.com and click on the Southern Lights icon.

Daytime park hours and rates: Through March 14, the park is open Wednesdays through Sundays.  Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – a Smithsonian Affiliate - and the American Saddlebred Museum.